I AM worse off than I was four years ago. I have

[coalition_unwilling]

Last edited Fri Aug 31, 2012, 01:17 AM - Edit history (1)

been unemployed now for almost two years.

The Unemployment Insurance extension was cut off abruptly in early May when California no longer qualified for Fed-Ed extension.

Have run through all my liquid savings and am now liquidating my IRAs to make mortgage and payments.

So do me a favor and stop trumpeting how much better off YOU are now.

Geesh.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I'm sorry...

[coalition_unwilling]

2. The unemployment rate in Calfiornia is 10.7% as of July. And this

jerk Sparkly has the gall to start this thread about how she's better off.

I swear to God.

Edited to correct gender.

[Incitatus]

7. I don't think anyone meant to brag or rub salt in wounds.

They are making the point that things are getting better than if the Bush ways had continued.

[nanabugg]

198. And there is plenty of help out there from the government if you aren't too anti-government to take

it. Help for mortgages too.

[progressivebydesign]

13. Sorry but some of us ARE better off! geesh (to quote you) n/t

[coalition_unwilling]

15. buh-bye -n/t

[Sparkly]

16. "This jerk Sparkly"

... is a "she," first of all.

I was responding to the common claim that NObody is better off now than 4 years ago. Some things ARE better for some people as a result of President Obama's policies.

As I said, my daughter has healthcare because of the reforms he passed, and the auto industry is still alive.

Very sorry if refuting the notion that NObody is better off is pissing in your Cheerios.

[coalition_unwilling]

17. Buh-bye - n/t

[Sparkly]

18. Bye, honey. I hope things turn around for you.

Sorry my daughter having healthcare was so upsetting.

[Scuba]

45. +1

[hfojvt]

96. Back in 1999, I used to hate it when pundits talked about how great the economy was

Oh, they said, America is prosperous. We are all rich.

And there I was working a temp job for my 2nd year, and unable to find a non-temp job.

Now, it seems the pundits want to go in the other direction. Oh, everybody is hurting "in this economy". Except that I am not. I still have my job. In fact, I got promoted last November. For people who still have their jobs - which is a lot of people, and people who are retired - another big group of people, this is not such a bad economy - well, except for the big jump in food prices and gas prices.

But your thread also said "AND I bought an American car".

Well, I am NOT doing so well that I feel I can afford a new car. My own American car is 19 years old, and approaching 100,000 miles.

Your daughter's healthcare was not the only thing you mentioned. An expensive luxury was included too.

[JustAnotherGen]

152. + 2

[madokie]

117. Can't handle the heat stay outa the kitchen

anyone knows that. Calling out a DU'r is against the rules

Sorry you're having it so bad. You can blame the pukies for that not Obama or the dems, they're trying to make things better but the pukes keep shooting them down on first one thing then the other. Its not a fellow DU'r that causes your pain, direct your anger accordingly

Peace

[coalition_unwilling]

131. Bwa-ha-ha. 'Against DU Rule Bingo' is more like it, since

everyone knows that DU's "rules" are more honored in the breach than in the observance.

Do you really intend for voters to decide this election based on whether they are better or worse off than they were four years ago???? Do you really want me to vote based on that criterion????

[madokie]

149. I personally don't care how you vote or what you base that vote on

and don't really care to hear all the whining either. If you really want to know the truth that is.
I could come here and whine every single day but guess what I'm not a whiner nor do I read into what someone posts more than they actually type as you seem to have done here with me. Take your rage somewhere else, I'm not interested.

Again Peace

[Mimosa]

195. Peoples perceptions of the economy determine presidential elections.

Carville was right. I've seen it all my life.

[CatWoman]

208. you would help your case immensely and garner more understanding

if you would stop being a dick.

[coalition_unwilling]

218. I'm rubber, you're glue - n/t

[AtomicKitten]

43. I'm very glad your daughter was able to get healthcare coverage.

As the mother of 2, I know just how much that means.

I'm also sorry you are being called out over your post expressing gratitude for that coverage. That kind of mean-spirited dick move used to be against DU rules.

[goodword]

62. I Understand

2012 has been a much better year for my family than 2011 was. And I'll be honest. I'm doing better now than I was when Bush was president. Like they say, if you have a job it's a recession. If you don't have a job it's a depression. But there are still people struggling and it's hard for them to see anything good when they're losing everything.

I don't think I will ever feel comfortable enough again to let my guard down and put myself in large debt or take chances with my money because I don't trust the economy or those who manipulate it.

There are still a lot of people who need healthcare and for them it hasn't come to pass yet. If Romney's elected, his first order of business will be to repeal the healthcare act so that will be gone. So will many other things that would and could make life better for many of us. Unfortunately, I'm fully expecting him to win. We might as well prepare for the worst. We can always be pleasantly surprised if he loses. I just want to be as secure as I can just in case because I know if he becomes president it's going to a long, tough road for a lot of us.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

87. Respectfully, I don't think that anyone knows what the ACTUAL unemployment numbers are.

The official governmental figures are bogus.

There are, of course, people who already suspect and know that. The use of 10.7% by governmental officials gives a false impression of mathematical certainty to an unemployment number which, although unknown, is much greater than that.

[coalition_unwilling]

163. Understood and agreed. The 10.7% is the so-called U3 rate, IIRC, which

uses a pretty strict definition of who is and is not in the labor force to measure unemployment. A more expansive definition of unemployment might put the CA rate at closer to 20%, I read somewhere. And in parts of Los Angeles like Watts, the unemployment rate is above 40%.

[still_one]

3. sorry for your situation, but who is saying that? /nt

[coalition_unwilling]

23. Here's the link to the thread that got my dander up:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021238028

[still_one]

26. Thanks for the link. There are a lot of people hurting, and that is a fact. Just don't let the

bastards get you down.

[SidDithers]

67. Thanks for the link, so I could go rec that thread...nt

Sid

[Hassin Bin Sober]

122. Par for the course with that one.

[Romulox]

180. Agree 100%. nt

[SidDithers]

141. It's the OP who's calling out and shitting on the poster of the other thread...

but I don't see you castigating them.

Sparkly posts an innocuous "I'm doing better" thread, and the OP feels the need to start a new thread calling out "this jerk Sparkly".

But I'm the "sad little man".

Sid

[LanternWaste]

154. many people feel compelled to predicate their actions on those of others

I imagine many people feel compelled to predicate their actions on those of others; and although it lacks both independence and imagination, I suppose the "they did it first" routine is as old as written history...

I am however, somewhat bemused by the new twist put on it-- "you called me out but not them!!!!" as though calling a person out is also predicated on the actions of others.

[hifiguy]

140. Wow.

Just wow. You are one hell of a piece of work.

[SidDithers]

142. And the OP? How about them? Are they not a "piece of work"?...

or are they allowed to be rude, starting a new thread calling out "this jerk Sparkly", simply because of their current situation? This whole thread is the type of thing that makes DU suck. I show my contempt for threads like this in my own way.

I welcome your derision. I wear it with pride.

Sid

[Mimosa]

197. If DU 'sucks' why are you here all the time?

I guess you don't know what it's like to feel like your on a lifeboat which is leaking, no help in sight.

Many DO!

[SidDithers]

207. I guess I didn't realize that when you're on a lifeboat...

and things aren't going well, it's appropriate to make yourself feel better by shitting on someone who's happy that their daughter has health coverage.



Sid

[sabrina 1]

196. Thanks for reminding me to rec this thread.

[SidDithers]

209. What a surprise...nt

Sid

[sabrina 1]

211. ...

[SidDithers]

212. Yer doin' it wrong...nt

Sid

[sabrina 1]

214. Lol!

It takes practice to post comments with no substance, and a lot of experience. I admit to being an amateur. I always appreciate tips from experts though!

[gateley]

4. I'm sorry, too.

And you're not alone -- I'm just marginally better off, but I never know how long I can hang on.

[Incitatus]

5. Which candidate do you think gives you a chance at a better future?

Obviously, not everyone is better off today. It's where we have gone and where we go from here that matters.

[coalition_unwilling]

24. I'm not angry or frustrated enough not to recognize that when the choice is

between a center-rightist (Obama) and an out-and-out fascist (Romney), that the working class will fare better under the center-rightist.

I cast my ballot not on my own behalf but on behalf of the working class. Always have, always will. But I was promised 'change' in 2008 and the only change I've seen has been for the way worse.

[dmallind]

85. Obama a rightist? Buh-bye. Jeeez...

[goodword]

63. Neither

If I have to vote, I will vote for Obama because I think he takes the people of the country into consideration. At the same time, he's been pretty much debilitated by the Republicans. No matter what he says or does he's shot down. So we would have 4 more years of not moving forward at all.

We're damned if we do and damned if we don't. It's going to take far more than simple voting to change things in America. Sad to say, we've reached a pivotal point where if we keep trusting in a system that has been broken for many decades, nothing will ever be fixed.

[sadbear]

6. And Mitt Romney blames President Obama for that.

Do you?

[coalition_unwilling]

27. Are you kidding me? Romney is a piece of shit (no offense to

excrement), barely worthy of inclusion among homo sapiens.

This was not a thread about presidential politics per se, so much as a statement of brutal, hard fact that many Americans, myself included, are far worse off now than they were four years ago.

[liberal_at_heart]

8. I'm sorry

We too are worse off because of a disability. We are fortunate enough that they have not cut federal funds to the disabled. Yet.

[coalition_unwilling]

28. You know, I'm almost 100% sure that were it not for Occupy, the center-rightist Obama would still

be prattling on about the need for 'austerity' and making compromises with the fascists.

Fortunately, Occupy stiffened Obama's spine.

[liberal_at_heart]

36. I actually would not be against compromise if

the republicans would compromise too, but as we all know they made a pledge as soon as Obama got elected to vote no on anything he proposed including a jobs act bill and tax increases for the 1%. They sit there and play games while we suffer.

[SammyWinstonJack]

48. He'll wait until after the election to continue with his push for 'austerity'. Wait for it.

About those compromises with the fascists? Still on the table.

But yeah, I will vote for him.

R-Money and his evil side kick...not an option.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

104. 100% right.

[DonCoquixote]

53. Kind of how

Billy getting cuaght with Monica's cigars stiffened his resolve.

[WinkyDink]

55. No; kind of like how kissing a Saudi sheik stiffened Dubya.

Two can play your puerile game.

[DonCoquixote]

79. purile game?

I was talking about how Bill's screw ups got him in troble and made him run to the left, the people he was intending to betray until he needed them.

[slipslidingaway]

9. Sorry, we are too because of out of pocket health care expenses n/t

[liberal_at_heart]

10. I know that feeling

I had all but two medical bills paid off last month and then four more came piling on. I don't think I've ever been fully paid up on medical bills, and haven't had decent credit in decades because of it.

[slipslidingaway]

32. Unfortunately we'll never be paid up ...

each year brings the next annual out of pocket maximum that needs to be paid, lucky to have insurance, but I fear too many boomers will eventually be in the same place.

[madrchsod]

11. i know exactly how you feel

i`m on social security which just makes our house payments. before i turned 65 i did`t work for almost 4 years. i drew a lot of unemployment then nothing for the last year before social security kicked in.

i know it`s tough to read stuff like that but i look at it as thank who ever that the economy is getting better and people are going back to work. we have a long way to go but with obama we are on the road to recovery.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

108. >I don't understand, and any insight that you can provide would be appreciated.

First, let me mention that I'm retired. My age and my lifetime of experiences has given me a certain perspective on the economy.

Given the fact that out political leaders have adopted a policy of shipping and maintaining manufacturing jobs in foreign countries, I do not understand how it can be said and believed that "the economy is getting better and people are going back to work. ... with obama we are on the road to recovery."

Here's the let's-transfer-jobs-to-foreign-countries "free-trade" agreements that have been supported by the political leaders of both parties:

1994 - NAFTA

2001 - Jordan – United States Free Trade Agreement
2004 - Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement
2004 - Chile - United States Free Trade Agreement
2004 - Singapore – United States Free Trade Agreement
2005 - Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA; incl. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic)
2006 - Bahrain – United States Free Trade Agreement
2006 - Morocco - United States Free Trade Agreement
2006 - Oman – United States Free Trade Agreement
2007 - Peru – United States Trade Promotion Agreement

2011 - Panama - United States Trade Promotion Agreement
2011 - Colombia - United States Trade Promotion Agreement
2011 - Republic of Korea (South Korea) - United States Free Trade Agreement

Both presidential candidates support the adoption of another job-transferring "free-trade" agreement, one that is being called the NAFTA of the Pacific by some:

Trans-Pacific negotiations have been taking place throughout the Obama presidency. The deal is strongly supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the top lobbying group for American corporations. Obama's Republican opponent in the 2012 presidential elections, Mitt Romney, has urged the U.S. to finalize the deal as soon as possible.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/13/obama-trade-document-leak_n_1592593.html

Seriously, if it is the policy of both parties to ship jobs to foreign countries, and even if Obama is a better person than Rmoney, how will there ever be a recovery?

[Mimosa]

199. +1 AnotherMcIntosh, that's THE question.

Both parties are to blame. And journalists don't ask the right questions of candidates, ever.

[progressivebydesign]

12. YMMV. Sorry you're having a hard time of it, but you know everyone has a right to their OWN story.

And who are you to tell people that they can't say that they're doing better because you aren't? Most of my friends and family have purchased new cars this year, and many are buying homes. My husband's company has doubled their employees in the past few years. I know people who are working again, and businesses that are doing beautifully.

Does everyone else need to be miserable because you can't find a job? that sunny personality must help you a lot in your search.

[jillan]

14. The reason some of us are saying that is because the repugs keep blaming Obama.

Especially since Obama's jobs bill is just sitting on Boner's desk and he refuses to put it up for a vote.
God forbid it would pass and that would be bad for the republicans. And that is more important to them than helping people like yourself.

It's not that we don't understand that things are seriously shitty right now for alot of people, please don't take it personally.
I wish things were better for you.... I really do.

In 2008, when the market plummeted, I got killed. I'm retired and my 401k & my home is all I have. And that happened under a Republican's leadership. It just pisses me off to no end that they are blaming Obama.

I can totally understand how that thread would upset you.

[coalition_unwilling]

31. Thank you. That thread seemed so smug and self-congratulatory that I didn't

feel my response within the thread was adequate.

My wife pointed out that many people have already lost their homes and prospects for secure retirment. No way are they better now than they were four years ago. "No matter how hard they work now," my wife says, "they will never recover the lifestyle they had planned to and thought they would have."

[Skidmore]

44. So after reading down this thread, I'm left to ask the question that always need to be asked...

where does Congress fit into this for you? The House holds the power of the purse and has spent the entire time cranking out bills to name post offices and teabagger red meat--not even sausage. And then there's the Senate where ole Mitch McConnell has been nesting for the entire time, sitting in one place trying to lay a golden egg. Every I run across one of these threads, I keep coming back to the machinations that have been going on behind the scene to undermine this President's administration.

FYI, during the past four years, we have lost some ground too. But I'll be damned if I'm going to lay the blame at one person's feet for the ignorance of an entire nation who seems hellbent on filling its legislature with 1%ers and then dragging out pitchforks when they game the system.

I'm sorry times are tough for you now. I sincerely hope things get better for you. I just wanted to point to a truth that always goes unsaid--one person alone is not responsible for all the ills in this nation or government.

[coalition_unwilling]

92. Oh, I'm all too aware of the Do-Nothing Congress of 2010 that campaigned on

"Jobs, jobs, jobs" and then didn't pass a Jobs bill.

This thread was meant to mirror a thread where someone trumped out much 'better off' they were than four years ago, not to blame Obama or let the Rape-publicans off the hook for their fascism.

[Skidmore]

112. Perhaps you should have marked it as satire then and linked to the other thread.

It does not read as such without a reference point.

Even if someone is not doing as well four years ago, I firmly believe that the slide into the abyss was halted and turn around has started for the nation. Now let's get to work and see if we can continue the climb upward.

[coalition_unwilling]

138. It was not intended as satire, although I probably should have

linked to the other thread. It was intended to check smug and self-congratulatory preening in the DU echo chamber.

[LanternWaste]

169. I read that less as self-congratulatory, and more as a collective congratulation...

I read that less as self-congratulatory, and more as a collective congratulations on the modest gains the country has made against many odds, using examples to better illustrate the point en-toto.

But I'm the first to admit that we all of us see what we want to more often than what may have been intended-- as my grandfather once told me, "insults are the easiest things in the world to find: if we look hard enough, we can even find them in palces where they do not exist..."

[coalition_unwilling]

37. Wow, I wish I could get your perspective and keep it. I just have

a hard time with smug, self-congratulatory posts, especially when the only reason Obama has a chance in 2012 is that the Rape-publicans are so universally fascistically psychopathic (except for Huntsman who never had a chance). Otherwise, with an 8.3% unemployment rate, Obama would be toast. Saying that is like pointing out the person who farted in the room.

I am all too aware that I do not it nearly as bad as many of my brothers and sisters in the working class. I still have a roof over my head, a pantry that is well stocked and a car that runs. And I still have my health.

[hfojvt]

111. supernummerary

Last edited Sat Sep 1, 2012, 12:11 AM - Edit history (1)

[Kalidurga]

20. I am going to college on student loans...

I will probably be in debt for the rest of my life. I will be paying off my student loans with my social security check. So things ain't rosy. But, Mittens would like me to not go to college at all, he would love to keep people like me from getting loans. He would like to end social security. Mittens would be perfectly fine if the only job I could get was cashiering at Home Depot because I have no way of paying for college.

[liberal_at_heart]

21. you're exactly right

If the only job you can get is a minimum wage job at some retail store that means all the more money for Mitt's CEO friends that own those retail stores.

[grantcart]

22. Sorry to hear about that

After swearing I would never open another business again I have just hired two and maybe a third. Its been a long 10 years but things in my neck are getting better and we are trying to take as many up with us as possible.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

25. I didn't mean to offend you.

I was on the cusp of having to close up shop. I know I'm fortunate for not having to, and am grateful for my fortune.

Don't take it personal. It wasn't intended that way. Some of us have benefited from the change in administrations. That's all.

My heart is still with everyone who is still suffering. I do care. Heck, it could well be me in your shoes tomorrow. Right?

[limpyhobbler]

29. +1 and thank you for saying so.

These last couple years I have lost everything. Lost a good job, burnt through retirement savings, everything is gone.

I got so angry when I saw that thread. Started typing a reply to it. Got half way through and decided just to trash the thread.

[coalition_unwilling]

33. I didn't realize how fucking angry I was at that smug, self-congratulatory

tone until I had posted my reply within the thread.

In retrospect, maybe I should have just done what you did and trashed the thread.

[limpyhobbler]

35. Somebody had to say something.

[rl6214]

30. I am exactly the same as you

Laid off two years ago sept. Unemployment was cut off in March since Texas no longer qualified for the fed extension.

[coalition_unwilling]

34. I hope things turn around for you and for me soon. I know they won't with

a Romney administration and am increasingly skeptical about Obama's 2nd term.

[rl6214]

118. It's becoming increasingly difficult for me

I've been type 1 diabetic for 30 years, have severe pain in my feet, herniated disc in my back and am now blind in one eye along with having a dozen various surgeries over the past 5 years.

Best of luck to you, don't give up hope.

[Ikonoklast]

38. What are you doing to remedy that situation?

Seriously.

Are you still seeking employment in the same field, or have you tried something new?

[coalition_unwilling]

39. I have resumes built around four different skill sets, so

three of the four are new with reference to my last position.

I've had interviews and a couple false starts (one of which I wrote about here on DU).

Check this out: I've got a phone interview for a 'political writing' position at an online start-up tomorrow. Pay is 50% of what I made in my last position but a 50% pay cut beats cashing in my IRA prematurely. A writing\editing position would be a throw-back to a field (journalism) I've worked in previously but not recently.

Hope that's 'seriously' enough for you. Keep your fingers crossed for me

[Romulox]

83. I wonder if he's tried bending over and simply pulling himself up by his bootstraps?

[Ikonoklast]

124. Looks like that is exactly what he's doing.

He is using every resource available in order to secure employment, instead of sitting on his hands hoping for the best.

Being pro-active on one's own behalf is ineed pulling oneself up...if you wait around for someone else to o it for you, well, good luck with that.

[Romulox]

155. "Progressives" used to be ashamed of scolding the poor and the downtrodden. nt

[Ikonoklast]

167. They also never pretended to be helpless.

But if that works for you, go with it.

Looks like the OP has a plan, and is implementing it...which is what a prudent, intelligent person does instead of waiting for manna to fall from heaven.

[Romulox]

168. "They". Telling phrasing! Progressives are "they" and "them" to you. nt

[Ikonoklast]

181. What exactly is your problem?

What word in English would you rather have me use?

Your semantic games are childish.

Would you rather have someone looking for a job NOT be proactive in that endeavour?

Describe to me, in exact language, how a person doing *nothing* to help themselves attain employment lands that new job.

How is that a winning strategy?

I'm all ears.

[Romulox]

182. I have every right to challenge hateful views here. I don't care if that's a problem for *you*. nt

[Ikonoklast]

183. Wow. Please seek help.

If any of what I posted was 'hateful views', I certainly hope it gets alerted upon by DU members.

You must see monsters in every shadow.

[Romulox]

184. Nonsense. I read your posts, and disagreed strongly. That's what this board is for. nt

[Ikonoklast]

185. No, you responded with exaggerations, grossly inflated hyperbole, and outright fabrications.

But coming from you it's to be expected.

How long have you been a Union member?

[Romulox]

186. I responded with rhetoric intended to neutralize YOUR rhetoric. Welcome to the internet. nt

[Ikonoklast]

188. You responded in an irrational manner.

Nothing new to me on the internet.

How long have you been a Union member?

What Local do you belong to?

[Romulox]

189. Nonsense. I responded in a manner that made you uncomfortable. That means it worked. nt

[Mimosa]

201. Caught that too.

[sabrina 1]

200. Well, those days are gone obviously. Now it's hard to find any compassion for those less

fortunate on our side of the aisle. I love the interrogation of people who have worked all of their lives and due to the economy, lost their jobs.

I wish the OP success in getting a job. I know I have read his posts explaining his efforts to do so, so it would never have occurred to me to ask him what he was doing about his situation.

[dennis4868]

41. I know many are hurting...

but I am definitely way better off than I was 4 years ago. 4 years ago I had no job, no insurance (and could not get insurance for my daughter bec she has a serious pre existing condition. Now I have a good paying job in construction and my daughter (thanks to ObamaCare) has health insurance. I know some will attack me bec they are have it rough but I think it's fine that if people are doing better, they should feel comfortable saying it.

[coalition_unwilling]

42. I'm happy for your success and appreciate your lack of

smug self-satisfaction.

[eridani]

46. Putting all this into a broader context--

A fine line between when cheerfulness has gone over to the dark side and just plain recital of facts about what is going on.

http://www.barbaraehrenreich.com/brightsided.htm

Americans are a "positive people" cheerful, optimistic, and upbeat: this is our reputation as well as our self-image. But more than a temperament, being positive, we are told, is the key to success and prosperity.

In this utterly original take on the American frame of mind, Barbara Ehrenreich traces the strange career of our sunny outlook from its origins as a marginal nineteenth-century healing technique to its enshrinement as a dominant, almost mandatory, cultural attitude. Evangelical mega-churches preach the good news that you only have to want something to get it, because God wants to "prosper" you. The medical profession prescribes positive thinking for its presumed health benefits. Academia has made room for new departments of "positive psychology" and the "science of happiness/" Nowhere, though, has bright-siding taken firmer root than within the business community, where, as Ehrenreich shows, the refusal even to consider negative outcomes--like mortgage defaults--contributed directly to the current economic crisis.

With the mythbusting powers for which she is acclaimed, Ehrenreich exposes the downside of America’s penchant for positive thinking: On a personal level, it leads to self-blame and a morbid preoccupation with stamping out "negative" thoughts. On a national level, it’s brought us an era of irrational optimism resulting in disaster. This is Ehrenreich at her provocative best--poking holes in conventional wisdom and faux science, and ending with a call for existential clarity and courage.

[bananas]

95. "Bright-sided"- somehow I missed that.

Looks like a good book, thanks.

[coalition_unwilling]

101. Thanks for the bibliographic rec. I'll be requesting the book from

the library forthwith. (I've read a couple other Ehrenreich books and several articles by her in Harper's and elsewhere.)

[Mimosa]

202. ^ This should be topic! ^

http://www.barbaraehrenreich.com/brightsided.htm

Americans are a "positive people" cheerful, optimistic, and upbeat: this is our reputation as well as our self-image. But more than a temperament, being positive, we are told, is the key to success and prosperity.

In this utterly original take on the American frame of mind, Barbara Ehrenreich traces the strange career of our sunny outlook from its origins as a marginal nineteenth-century healing technique to its enshrinement as a dominant, almost mandatory, cultural attitude. Evangelical mega-churches preach the good news that you only have to want something to get it, because God wants to "prosper" you. The medical profession prescribes positive thinking for its presumed health benefits. Academia has made room for new departments of "positive psychology" and the "science of happiness/" Nowhere, though, has bright-siding taken firmer root than within the business community, where, as Ehrenreich shows, the refusal even to consider negative outcomes--like mortgage defaults--contributed directly to the current economic crisis.

Quite insightful.

[jayjayusa]

47. Maybe...

You shouldn't spend so much time in the Internet.
Seek more education and vote for people that want your well being. Just saying. Other than that, don't blame everyone else for your problems.

[Fumesucker]

49. Welcome to DU!

I hope you enjoy your stay!

[SammyWinstonJack]

50. Oh, THAT was helpful.

[Quantess]

59. Well... it is good advice, all of it.

We can all get more education, no matter how far along we already are. And there is life happening outside the front door...

[AnotherMcIntosh]

114. x2 n/t

[WinkyDink]

56. Is that you, Gina Rinehart?

[goodword]

61. And Who ARE Those People

that want our well being? Obama tried maybe, but he has no real power against the Republicans. They want a one party system in America so they can control everything and everyone. And I believe, in time, that will happen.

We'd better find SOMEONE to blame or we're going to be spinning our wheels for years to come. If we don't demand changes, we might as well stop talking right now.

[gollygee]

66. Hi Mr. Ryan

Thanks for the great show last night. It was hilarious! Give my love to Clint!

[treestar]

71. Hahaha

[HughBeaumont]

69. Oh, YOU'RE going to last long, I can tell.

People with Master's Degrees got laid off and continue to get fired by Corporate America. I should know because in 2009, several dozen around me did. What say you about these people, Mr. Bootstrapper? Were they "lazy" and did they "spend too much time on the internet"? Did they "not work HARD enough"??

You can get all the education on the planet and it's not going to make a handful of beans difference if a corporation eliminates your position because they decide they don't need you. Not all of us can be "owners", since it's a crapshoot to be successful enough that you earn as much as you did at a straight job.

You people crack me up.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

219. +a zillion!

get more education?

Continuing education is never bad, but Mr. Bootstrapper seems to have missed the clear fact that coalition-unwilling is already highly educated.

As if all people out of work are *ahem* Welfare Queens. (to use the simple minded hate-phrase coined by Reagan and beloved of narrow minded, scapegoating, self-satisfied, parochial, social-darwinist, Gawd-loves-me-and-hates-you, repukes everywhere.)

[Romulox]

81. What a disgusting thing to say. I look forward to seeing your transparency page updated. nt

[coalition_unwilling]

94. Hah! My devilish scheme to update and fine tune my Ignore

list is working.

[WilliamPitt]

129. ...says the guy posting on the internet.

I love it.

[Alduin]

174. Is that you, Paul Ryan?

[sabrina 1]

206. Maybe you should have waited to learn more about longtime DUers,

such as the OP, before you offer them what is, and had you waited you would have known this, ill-informed advice.

I imagine the OP could give YOU some advice on these matters considering his experiences.

Stick around, DU is a great place to start learning.

[liberal N proud]

52. Sorry to hear your situation

I know what it's like to be without a job for that long. Been there, remember the Reagan years?

Sure hope things turn around soon for you!

[xmas74]

54. Here's a bit of hope for you.

Three and a half years ago I was laid off from my job. During that time I took everything I could find,including minimum wage jobs, just to pay the bills. Last week, I finally got my old job back. They are now hiring and are in a hiring run. I start in a couple of weeks. (FWIW, it's in manufacturing.)

The orders are coming back, the contracts are starting to come back, and the work is slowly coming back. Am I better off now then I was four years ago? No, but I'm hoping that if you ask me this time next year I can say yes. (This is with a planned "working two jobs" scenario in order to pay off some bills fast.)

Here's to hope.

[coalition_unwilling]

103. Glad to hear of your good fortune and hoping my experience has

the same arc. (I'm at the point now where I'm considering jobs at a 50% pay cut to keep from liquidating IRAs prematurely.)

[xmas74]

204. you might have to do so.

It's unfortunate but do what you have to do. I worked minimum wage for quite some time until this recently happened.

[magical thyme]

57. I'm so sorry for what you're going through

I spent the W years in free fall after the high tech crash / 911 crash. Career gone, too old to get re-hired, to young to retire, right when I *should* have been in my "peak earning" years.

I ran through *all* my liquid savings. All that's left is my house, which I own outright (as opposed to having IRAs).

And then starting in '08 as I approached flat broke, instead of dumping my house I decided to take on student loan debt for allied health care, based on Obama's hope campaign.

I'm better off in that I'm no longer in free-fall and am barely treading water. On the one hand, thanks to the student loan debt and humongous work on my part, I'm part-time employed at hourly rates I made back in the early 80s. The student loans would have sunk me except for the income-based repayment program. And now my hours are being cut from half-time to about 1/3 time, so unless I'm able to sell my home, I'm going to have to find ways to cut even more expenses. I'm running out of ideas. I already cook solar and freeze my food throughout the summer to reduce my fuel use in the winter. My pets are downsizing through attrition. I hold my breath every time my elderly cat looks like maybe she's expired in her sleep...and am saddened by my mixed feelings when she wakes up purring. Her food is another $25/month.

It hurts me to see how many people out there -- including all my co-workers -- think the last 4 years have been horrible because they didn't didn't get raises, when so many of us have lost so much of what we'd worked for and earned and have no way to recoup the losses.

I've lived your pain for the last 10 years.

[coalition_unwilling]

105. Thank you and I'm really sorry to hear about what you've been going through. It's the

"no way to recoup the losses" part that really gets me (and there are many who are far worse off than I), when people start talking about how much better off they are than 4 years ago.

[goodword]

58. Been Here....Twice

Once in 2001 and again 2011. My family faced unemployment under two different administrations. I assure you, neither one came to our rescue.

We need to recognize, it's not US who is to blame for all this. It's THEM. All of THEM. Yet we fight amongst ourselves and point fingers at each party when in reality the entire system is broken. When you have a corporate owned government, expect nothing for the people. In the corporate world, people are expendable.

We're on our own. We have no government that will help us, protect us or improve anything for us. We have literally been abandoned.

Good luck in your job search. Hang in there.

[coalition_unwilling]

106. Grammar Nazi here: I don't think we have 'literally' been

abandoned (although some times the Rape-publicans come perilously close to that). It's the 'figurative' abandonment that stings all the more, as they (Dems and Rape-publicans) give lip service to caring and then do nothing to aid us.

[Quantess]

60. Here's an original song to cheer you up:

[Fumesucker]

78. That's pretty cold to someone who's having a hard time..

A rising tide lifts all yachts but the dingies often get left in the bottom muck.

[Quantess]

123. I suppose.

The mood of this thread was so serious and heavy, I provided a bit of comic relief to lighten things up.

[Fumesucker]

127. I don't find pissing on someone who is down and hurting to be comical..

But then I'm not a Republican.

Bear in mind that my screen name is due to my financial situation and my mood when I registered here on DU in 2008, I'm nowhere near as well off now as I was then.

Running on empty, sucking fumes, you figure it out.

[Quantess]

134. I have not had a middle class income for several years now.

I have had some extremely hard times myself, in the past few years. And I am not "pissing on" anybody, but you can choose to see it that way if it makes you feel better. I personally doubt any part of this thread has helped or hurt anyone in a significant way, but since I see my attempt at humor fell flat, I am going to trash this thread now and find something productive to do.

[deutsey]

64. I'm marginally better off no than 4 years ago, but nothing to dance a jig about

I'm reminded of that lyric from a Doors song:

The future's uncertain and the end is always near.

[dkf]

65. It's a sad thing when people are thrilled their adult kids can rely on their health insurance.

The expectations are so low they think getting coverage for a 26 year old who does not have a job capable of providing their own health insurance is the epitome of happiness. Moreover its such a temporary thing. What happens when these "kids" turn 27?

What we need is an economy that is growing fast enough to employ people which should increase wages. If we can't increase economic activity we aren't going to be able to create enough jobs to employ the natural number of people entering the workforce much less the millions who have lost their jobs.

It's foolish to be thrilled at the way this economy is going. It hasn't reached the velocity needed to sustain things.

[99Forever]

75. Yes indeed.

Last edited Fri Aug 31, 2012, 10:12 AM - Edit history (1)

At age 18 I took my first fulltime job. It provided 100% full coverage health insurance for not only myself, but the family we started a few years later. That was on top of a wage that provided well enough that we could purchase a modest home, eat decently and have some occasional entertainment. On my income alone.

Lowered expectations is putting mildly.

Now the product of almost an entire lifetime of hard work is all but gone or going and I'm supposed to celebrate because some really halfassed law lets people pay for over-priced premiums to mega insurance giants for shitty coverage for their adult 'children" for a few more years?

How fucked up is that?

[Romulox]

82. Nailed it. 27 year olds don't need healthcare, donchaknow? Nor to 26 year olds whose parents are

uninsured, apparently.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

128. Well said.

[IdaBriggs]

68. I think you raise a valid point: we are the party of reality

and we need to deal with this.

I don't think the ire directed at Sparkly was appropriate though (and I liked her thread).

But I do think acknowledging the reality that it hasn't gotten better for EVERYONE - we still need to do MORE - is a Very VALID point.

[coalition_unwilling]

110. As I read through the responses to my OP, I'm struck by the idea

that some people now have no realistic chance of ever recovering much of what has been lost. (I'm not yet in that camp.) Those are the people who need help the most, so that they can live a dignified and healthy retirement.

[aikoaiko]

70. Sorry for your troubles, but Sparkly posted that thread in support of the president.

And not in support of him/herself and certainly not as an insinuation against those less fortunate.

I think people should speak to their experience whether it is positive or negative.

[dmallind]

89. No! A thousand times no! On DU only endless eternal doom and rat-stew predictions are welcome. nt

[treestar]

72. I'm not personally better off

But I can still realize that the country is. And therefore Mittens is wrong.

[AngryOldDem]

73. I think anyone over 50...

...is just plain fucked in this society. It won't matter who is in the White House.

I'm resigned to not having a full-time job with benefits ever again. And I feel damned lucky for the temporary job that I have, which begins again in October, and will run through midsummer 2013. I enjoy the work immensely, though, which is some small consolation, I guess. I still have to pay for my own health insurance, which i just had to change here recently because my carrier pulled out of my state. I'll probably have to do that one or more times before I go off to my heavenly reward, and hope that in the meantime my health holds so that I'm insurable.

Take comfort in knowing that you're not alone, no matter how much bashing you're taking in this thread. I for one am not seeing -- nor feeling -- the hope and change I voted for four years ago. Oh yes, I will still vote for Obama, because really, what's my alternative? And isn't that a hell a thing to base a vote on?

[coalition_unwilling]

115. Thanks. As I noted earlier upthread, I am struck by how many have lost

so much and who now have little or no realistic chance of recovering it, no matter who is in office.

I always try to vote the candidate(s) who support the working class, or who promise to do the least harm to it. But it's not like Obama is going to change the excessive concentrations of wealth in this country so that an obscenity like Romney is no longer possible. Some of the responses in this thread have indeed caused me to question just how firm my intention to cast my ballot for Obama in November is. But I just come back to the interests of the working class and the choice for Obama is self-evident.

[revolution breeze]

74. I wish Health Care Reform had gone farther

We are on Tricare, which was exempt from the new health care law. So, come December, my daughter with Type 1 diabetes has to pay $210 a month for healthcare, even though she still lives at home and is a full time student.

But , other than a short stint of hubby being unemployed early this years, we are doing okay. Taking care of mom and grandma takes alot of time and energy, but it was my choice to keep them out of a nursing home.

[nanabugg]

76. Sorry for you, but at least you have some IRAs to liquidate. Some folks blew theirs with ENRON. nt

[Enrique]

77. thank you

and good luck.

[Yavin4]

80. Have You Thought About Volunteering?

Volunteering is a great way to showcase your job skills, keep continuity on your resume, and make good contacts. People hire people that they've worked with in the past.

Try volunteering on a political campaign. Volunteering for local candidates works the best. They may even help you get a job in government if they're elected.

[Enrique]

88. he has been unemployed for about two years

by my calculations, approximately a brazililon people have suggest he try volunteering.

[Yavin4]

91. I was Unemployed for Two Years from 2008 to 2010, and I volunteered.

Eventually, I was offered a full time job, and now I am making more money than I have ever have in my career.

[Enrique]

93. same here, same time period

and while I was volunteering, people were constantly suggesting to me that I volunteer. Maybe the OP is volunteering now, or maybe he has applied. They do require applications, and they do turn down people. There is a huge lack of demand in this country, there are a ton of people like the OP who are looking for work that isn't there.

[AngryOldDem]

100. I also got a job through volunteering.

It was at a nonprofit. I had to leave it, though, because of a move. Occasionally I look at its web site, and it seems that now the place wants to fill all positions through volunteers, which was pretty much the way things were going when I left.

So, even the volunteering option isn't as open as it once was.

I won't offer well-meaning advice like this because I'm certain people have heard it all before. The jobs, for the most part, just aren't there, and I think that's how the powers-that-be want it, no matter who is sitting in the White House.

[coalition_unwilling]

121. Good idea. I've volunteered in the past (with a Literacy\Tutoring

group and with various political campaigns). None have ever led to a job or even a lead, but always had a good time while doing it.

[SomethingFishy]

84. I'm with you...

Not as well off and not humored by people who like to rub it in. However with the changes in DU recently I am not surprised to see the "Democrats" here rubbing it in.

Hang in there man, it's all we can do.

[coalition_unwilling]

125. Yeah, I must confess that a couple of the responses from

old-time DUers surprised me. They obviously know and understand the immense amounts of suffering that happened even after Obama took office but rah-rah partisanship seems to induce some really bizarre responses.

[Brickbat]

90. Yeah, I know enough people who are worse off that I think the question isn't the best one for

Democrats to be raising this time around. I hope things change soon for you.

[coalition_unwilling]

126. Seriously, framing the debate as "Are you better or worse off than

you were four years ago?" isn't going to inspire me to get to the polls in November. I think it's best for the Dems to keep going negative on Romney, as there is so much material there to work with, that the Dems don't even need to try to run on their record or on Rape-publican obstructionism.

[Festivito]

97. Under Republicans the economy would have kept on plummeting.

Bush had our economy careening down a canyon like a runaway team of horses going 60mph down Down DOWN.
At a mile down, Obama takes over, slows the speed of descent, turns the tired team of horses around and starts the tired horses back up the canyon at 10mph.

But, by then we are three miles down the canyon, moving up slowly.

Now, we are two miles down, heading up at 2mph as Republicans throw rocks at our path upward.

So, now, people want to complain that we are a mile below where Obama took over the reigns by saying "we are worse off under Obama."

So, now, people do not want to hear that between mile 3 and 2 that there are success stories.

So, now, people want to ignore that the other party had us going down instead of up.

Well, I call bullshit, bullshit and more bullshit.

[coalition_unwilling]

99. Some people should take the time to read the entire thread before

tossing their pearls of wisdom, methinks.

Whatevs.

[Festivito]

137. Read it, fine. Wisdom was mine. Made a mistake: No pearls before swine.

Whatevers are yours. Ain't buying your whine.

[coalition_unwilling]

139. Well, aren't you just the ass-onant one today - n/t

[Festivito]

145. Oo, oo, oo, Mr. Co-a-ter. That almost said sump'n impotant. /nt

[nolabear]

98. I'm sorry for your situation, truly, but I won't refuse to be glad for mine.

I'm not eating caviar. But I'm more secure and my kids are doing fine as young adults in the slow, climbing way that kids should be able to do. Someis luck, some is work, and some is the result of beter health care and some of the president's economic policies.

I hope it gets better for you. I do. But I exist too, and won't refuse to.

[Zorra]

102. I'm better off than I was 4 yrs ago, but way worse off than I was 3 yrs ago.

I've lost an avg. a $600 - $800 a month, and our non-profit could no longer afford to pay insurance premiums on health insurance, so I am now uninsured.

I'm going to vote straight Dem, but I am very disappointed that more has not been done by Democrats to stop wealthy private interests from raping the people and the planet.

Market based solutions are not the answer. We need to triple taxes on the wealthy, institute strict control over corporations in all areas, and enact a modern New Deal type socio-economic program.

If Democrats had done what needed to be done instead of kowtowing to corporate interests, the Obama - Romney race wouldn't even be close. Romney would be conceding defeat in October, and Obama would win in a mega-landslide.

Instead, we now have to be concerned about another Bush, in the person of a shallow, greedy, ignorant, corporate stooge like Romney, possibly becoming President. I'm not at all happy about having to sweat this election when this could have been avoided.

Centrism is milquetoast, and the center is never an effective position from which to govern, especially when drastic measures are called for by circumstance.

[abelenkpe]

107. I am so sorry!

I hope you can find work soon.



I'm not better off either. My benefits have been slashed, (theyve been steadily eroded over the past ten years.) I can't save anything and it is becoming quite obvious that my entire career will be off shored forever because our government will do nothing to counter subsidies from other countries and keep jobs in the US.

But I'll be voting for Obama. Not because he's made my world better, but because the republicans are freaking insane and destined to make the world far worse.

[larkrake]

109. sorry for your troubles

I saw what was coming, got rid of credit cards, if I couldnt buy something with cash, I didnt really need it. I didnt let ads force me into buying junk, or multiple tvs, got serious about my job and when they took away my benefits and wanted more hours for no more pay I said no and started my own service and got paid more anyway. I am much better off than I was when Obama was elected, and thanks to him I can get health insurance. I am back working for a corporation as my 2nd job but will not apply for benefits that take money from my paycheck ever again. I do not have kids or a house-I do have a car and toys, all paid for in cash. I have sympathy for those who are responsible for others.

I think too many folks do not know how to be frugal without sacrifice, how to say no to the kids, cant barter the price of a new used car or grow their own tomatoes. My taxes at my 2nd job are withheld, but my major income I will not pay taxes on until Corporations pay their taxes. I refuse to pay for wars and Congress's wages, oil subsidies and tax cuts for the rich.

I doubt wages will be raised to match the cost of living and will save with that in mind. I suggest you not wait for a miracle to occur- if R&R get in the Whitehouse, the only jobs available will be below minimum wage and all cities will have an emergency manager. Sell your house and live in an RV. Get out from under now and default on your debts. It is time for a reboot, and civil war, no matter who is President. The last three years has proven, one good man can not defeat 500 bad men lobbied by corporations, much less get healing legislation passed.

[Bettie]

113. I'm sorry for your situation

My husband's job was unexpectedly eliminated in January.

He's found a good job, eight months later.

I cannot imagine how frustrating it must be to keep looking and not finding anything for so long, since he was at wit's end with only eight months of looking.

But, I don't think that the other poster was trying to denigrate or step on you, though again, I can see how frustrating it might be.

I suspect, after looking at her posting, that she was refuting the idea that we're all doing worse under the current president. We're not all doing better, but we're not all doing worse. The two of you represent different points on a spectrum that includes us all.

I do hope that things look up for you and soon.

[Nye Bevan]

116. Sorry to hear that.

No matter which party is in power, there will always be people better off, and people worse off, than they were four years ago. I know that it's not much consolation to you that things would have been much worse under a McCain/Palin presidency.

[cali]

119. Let me put this bluntly: I think your op is mean spirited and selfish.

I'm sorry you're in such a bad situation, but that's no reason for this nasty op.

I'm poor. I'm newly disabled and trying to come to terms with that, and I'm always glad to hear it when my fellow DUers are doing well.

[cali]

120. here, let me do it for you: buh bye

[coalition_unwilling]

136. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out - n/t

[coalition_unwilling]

135. Well, there are 33 recs for this 'nasty op' right now, so maybe I'm

getting the 'mean spirited and selfish' bloc to come out en masse for me.

Or maybe "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" isn't such a winning strategy this time around.

[renie408]

159. Honey...

The idiot rant that was nothing but the word FUCK in all caps tacked onto a bunch of gross, nearly illiterate comments got more recs than that.

There is a certain percentage of the DU that will rec just about anything. Don't start assuming you are all special because there are other assholes out there willing to join the pity party.

[SidDithers]

143. Abso-fucking-lutely...

Well said.

"I'm sorry you're in such a bad situation, but that's no reason for this nasty op. "

Sid

[renie408]

156. +10000

[darkangel218]

130. Im all for free speach, but i cant believe the DU is allowing threads who diss our pressie

Especially now when he needs all our support.

And to the OP, life is what you make if it, maybe you should try harder, most of us are really struggling, but we're still optimists, because we Believe in our country and in Mr Obama. I'm sorry, but I have to block the op. Goodbye.

[xiamiam]

146. yes..much better to lie???? the truth is good enough, always

and the truth is not so pleasant and certainly not what anyone expected 4 years ago. How in the hell do we get to the next step if we dont tell the truth?

[Romulox]

176. Another bootstrapper. And one who is concerned for "our pressie" (sic).

[sabrina 1]

213. And right there is the whole problem with our political system. One team adores their

captain no matter what, and the other team adores theirs, and the whole political debate is centered around protecting the team captains from any kind of criticism, rather than being centered around the issues.

Hopefully one day America will grow and we can view politicians as what they are, employees of the people. And then maybe we can start talking about issues rather than people.

[The River]

132. Do You Still Have Your Health?

If so, I'll trade the SS payments I get for being old..in exchange for your health.
If so, I'll trade my military stipend and 40 years of undiagnosed PTSD ..in exchange for your health.
If so, I'll even trade my oil leases to get back the organs I've lost to cancer.
Hell, I'd live in a hollow log and drink muddy water if I could just get the tubes out of me!

Money isn't everything.

[coalition_unwilling]

144. I'm not sure how to respond. I clearly know that there are people far worse off

than I am. I do still still have my health, although I have some chronic conditions like hypertension that are going untreated right now while I try to conserve resources.

At this point, I almost think I'd be willing to trade a little health for an income stream - feels like I'm in a race against time and time is winning. But I get your point loud and clear and, fwiw, hope your health improves or at least stabilizes.

[The River]

147. Thank You

One more surgery in a few weeks and hopefully, one less tube.

When I get "down" about how things are going I think back to
the kids I've met at the local children's hospital; the ones in helmets
and wheelchairs. Even if they do survive, their lives will always be hard.
Expressing silent gratitude for what I have/had always makes me feel better.

Hang in there....
and Good Luck

[coalition_unwilling]

148. Thank you for your good wishes and I'm sending mine back to you for

a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

[Romulox]

177. Unbelievable. It's ok that you're hopeless and poor--because I'm old! nt

[Hell Hath No Fury]

133. I hear you.

I am not better off, the company I work for is not better off, and my Mom on SS is certainly not better off and edges closer to the abyss every day.

Will Romney/the GOP fix that? No. Will Obama/the Dems fix that? No, not so long as there are Blue Dogs and Third Way assholes whose lips are firmly attached to that Bull's ass.

Hang in there.

[Mimosa]

205. ^ +1 ^ n/t

[mvd]

150. I feel your pain. I am no better off either. I can not get work..

and am dependent on some stock money and family. I am fortunate to have such nice family. I am not frustrated at those who say they are doing better, though. Having money is fine, unless you think you have no responsibility to pay taxes so the poor/middle class give up more.

I blame some of it on the Third Way philosophy of our party, but I feel things would be better if the Repukes wouldn't have blocked everything. At least Obama is better than Clinton, who gutted welfare and signed elimination of Glass-Stegall.

[coalition_unwilling]

162. Careful or you'll be accused of being an 'other asshole' who is

participating in a 'pity party.' (I just put that poster on permanent Ignore.)

Agree with you that Republican obstructionism and know-nothingism going back to Reagan is the principal cause. Also agree with you about Clinton's relative culpability.

[Hydra]

151. I just found out last week that I'm going to be unemployed for the second time this year

Because the company I work at is getting so little business, we're strangling.

I'm just as upset at people screaming from the rooftops about how everything is peachy keen and how the Obama Administration should be thanked from bent knee.

We needed a miracle, a total turnaround. President Obama not only promised that, he outlined how he would do it and why it was necessary...and then he put Goldman Sachs at the wheel.

The economy has nothing to run on- the Repubs stole the engine and the Dems accepted the bribe to look the other way. There is no engine being proposed, so any kind of mileage we get is from the previous momentum and the downhill. Once we reach the bottom, It'll stop completely.

So I say unto ye- you have companionship and understanding from me, who shares your misery.

President Barak Obama's grand legacy: "I wasn't as bad as the other guy!"

[coalition_unwilling]

160. Thanks for that. Between your post and the posts accusing me

of 'whining' and\or being 'selfish,' 'mean-spirited' and so on seems to lie an unbridgeable chasm.

I see the economy in a dead-cat bounce. Not getting worse but not improving much either.Just bumping along at a lower rate of activity where 8% unemployment is the new norm.

As you point out, it did not have to be that way.

[SidDithers]

157. +1...

And I suspect you're right about your post getting yanked. Sometimes, tho, it's worth it.

Sid

[ceile]

164. +1

[quinnox]

158. some people live in a bubble of privilege and so its

difficult for some of them to relate to people less fortunate than they are, unfortunately we are seeing a little of that in this thread too.

I had the same kind of experience, was unemployed for two years, and unemployment ran out. I was lucky enough to find employment but I know how difficult it is out there in this shitty economy. Ignore the jerks and idiots, they are too busy passing around the bubbly and wondering why anyone is having a tough time. They are ignorant folk, and they always are around.

[coalition_unwilling]

161. Thank you. It breaks my heart to have to choose between keeping

our mortgage current by raiding my IRA and losing any hope for retirement or losing the roof over our head to keep the IRA and some hope for retirement.

And some people on this thread call that a 'pity party.' Thank God for the Ignore function is all I can say.

[GreenStormCloud]

165. Sorry for your troubles, but you don't have the right to dictate other people's posts.

Take courage from the fact that others are doing well. I means that your situation could improve too. If everybody was doing worse, then there would be little hope for you.

[coalition_unwilling]

170. You're right, but I don't think I was dictating anyone's post, merely

requesting they stop their mindless rah-rah when so many are still suffering so severely.

There is little hope for me. This government and society have decided that I am totally and completely expendable. Surprised it took me so long to figure it out.

[ceile]

166. Way to shit on a fellow DUer.

You must be so proud, I mean smug. Surprised this thread is still standing.

[Amonester]

171. Rolls/Royce & Rove(R)'s sole plan is to divide US

Stop helping them (just a suggestion).

Work with people near you who fight for helping people like you.

Volunteer if you can.

DUers are NOT your enemies.

[coalition_unwilling]

173. Let's see. I've been called 'selfish,' 'smug, 'mean-spirited, a 'whiner,' an 'other asshole,' and

Last edited Fri Aug 31, 2012, 05:11 PM - Edit history (1)

other choice words in this thread and DUers are NOT my enemies?

OK. Could have fooled me.

[stevenleser]

172. That person has as much right to celebrate their situation as you do to lament yours.

I think we can be both happy for her, and concerned for you.

In the context of discussing politics, the question is, whose policies are most likely to bring about more people doing well, Obama/Democrats or Romney/Republicans?

[coalition_unwilling]

175. Oh, no question that Obama and the Dems will be better for

the working class than the fascists.

And, yes, she has a 'right' to celebrate as she wishes (the First Amendment), but the 'rah-rah' stuff gets mighty wearisome for those who have been left in the dust of this brave new world.

[Amonester]

179. Are you 'jealous' of them being better off and celebrating?

Hope not.

Besides, nobody forces you to read these threads.

I truly wish you will find a way to solve the repuglican-policies problems still affecting millions like you. Don't get me wrong.

[coalition_unwilling]

191. Yeah, in retrospect, I probably should have simply trashed the thread. And

I don't think 'jealous' is quite the right word for it. More like 'bewilderment' that society and the government seem to have abandoned so many people like me.

[Romulox]

178. This is one of the grossest threads I've ever read on DU. I really am having a hard time believing

that there are this many hateful posters here.

[Hydra]

187. Shocking, isn't it?

It's disturbing how many rifts there are in society, even here on DU where it's supposed to be progressive democrats.

One of the bigger rifts opening up is the rift between the truth and what people would prefer to believe...or maybe it was always there and current events are just highlighting it.

[coalition_unwilling]

190. I've been campaigning and volunteering for Dems since

the 1988 campaign (when I volunteered to walk precincts for Michael Dukakis), so hearing myself called 'selfish' and 'mean-spirited' really makes me question whether I even want to continue participating on DU.

My wife pointed out to me that we still have people living in tents. Or if they're not still living in tents, it's because various police and security services have forcibly evicted them.

And, my wife added, those of us who have had the temerity to protest publicly against this state of affairs (through Occupy or other protest venues) have had to contend with the very real risk of getting our heads bashed in for protesting.

[cali]

192. oh please. hateful? I find the op mean spirited.

I celebrate DUers doing well. I don't take it as a personal affront or someone trying to rub salt in my wounds. And the innocuous op that this op is so bitter about is not gloating or bragging. How dare she be happy that her daughter has healthcare because of the ACA? Really, the gall.

And I am way worse off than the OP. I've had a year I wouldn't wish on anyone, but I begrudge no one being happy that their child has healthcare now or that they could afford to buy a car.

I'd like to see the op spend a DAY in my shoe.

And this isn't even close to the grossest thread ever on DU.

Oh, and I haven't seen one person here exhibit what he claims.

[coalition_unwilling]

217. I thought you had bid this thread (and\or me) adieu a long time ago, but

since I see you are still posting on it, I'll just mention that the "innocuous op" I was responding to did indeed boast that she had 'bought an AMERICAN car." To me that comes across as gloating (or perhaps 'smug'), but I guess to each his own.

[SidDithers]

210. The OP got the ball rolling in that respect...nt

Sid

[sabrina 1]

215. It is certainly a revealing thread. What it says to me is that there are now Democrats

who could not care less about the unemployed, the poor, the vulnerable in society. Their very existence appears to be problem for them. A political inconvenience.

And for all these years I thought that our party was the one that stood up against this kind of disgust for the country's most vulnerable Americans.

Before we can, as the right wingers say, 'take our country back', it's clear now that we first need to take our own party back.

I agree it is a disheartening thread. I remember when DU was so supportive of other DUers who were struggling in any way. I wonder where those people went? That's what I loved about DU, it's compassion and caring compared to the Right Wing sites where 'pull up your bootstraps' was their national anthem. To see it here is very disturbing.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

193. Sorry about the troubles. Solution to 'bad' speech is more speech not censoring / calls to "stop it"

[Mimosa]

194. Coalition_unwilling, my heart goes out to you

Millions and millions are in the same boat. It seems we are sinking and there's no rescue in sight.

What do people do when unemployment runs out and they can't find jobs? Especially those who are 50+?

[Liberal_in_LA]

203. .

[Billy888]

216. Sorry to hear your situation

Sorry to hear your situation